Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 132

Climbing the stairs to the bio box felt like the longest and hardest climb of my life. My legs were leaden stumps, each step upwards being harder than the last. And now I stood at the window that displayed the whole school gym to my team and I, wide eyed and out of breath. "Whoa," I said, limbs frozen in place, "that is a lot of people down there."

"No kidding," Kirishima added, his usual charisma and confidence dwindling as he too gazed out into the noisy crowd. "Just look at them all. I didn't even know we had this many students and staff here at school."

Sero hummed in agreement, taking a seat by the lighting desk. "Looks like we got what we wanted," he said wistfully. "The whole gym seems to be packed."

My eyes scanned the crowd once more; there were still people trying to squeeze in through the side and back doors! The excited energy they all radiated only fuelled my nerves even more, forcing me to start vigorously tapping my feet in an attempt to burn it out. I did not need to be wasting my energy - literally - just yet.

Taking up my own seat in front of the lighting desk, I picked up and placed softly over my ears a set of headphones with a mouth mic attached to it. "Oh well, that just means we've gotta make extra sure that this show runs as smoothly as possible." Pressing the power button of my headset, I said, "Testing, one two, one two. Tsu, are you guys in position?"

Static sparked over the line, but it was quickly replaced with a soft ribbit. "I hear you loud and clear, Y/N," Tsu's soft voice came back, "and we are all in position. Ready when you are."

"Good. But what of Midoriya?"

"He's still not here. What should we do?"

"Damnit," I hissed, turning my mic off for a second to think. The red digital numbers of 09:57am flashed high above me, reminding me how close we were to starting. Then I looked over the edge, scanning the doorways with the hope that I would see familiar tufts of emerald locks running down the corridors. I didn't see him though. Instead, I spotted Togata in the middle of the crowd, and little Eri on his shoulders. She looked at the stage - with those bright red eyes of hers - with such wonder, subtle excitement sparkling in them.

But soon that excitement would disappear.

Heaving great sigh, I turned the mic on again. "If Midoriya isn't here by now, I see no other option but to go ahead. Take up your places. We'll get Kirishima to fill in for Midoriya-"

"Hold on, Y/N." There was a scuffle on Tsu's end, making me tense up in worry as to what was going on. However, a bright smile stretched my cheeks to their limit when a new voice came over the headset.

"L/N? Can you hear me?"

"Midoriya!" I exclaimed, flopping back in my chair with relief. "Where have you been?! Wait, nevermind that now. Get into position, man. We've got a show to put on!"

Midoriya's soft laugh echoed in my head at my words. "Sure thing, L/N. Don't worry, I've got it all under control. Oh, and, L/N?"

"Yeah, Midoriya?"

There was a long pause on the other end of mic, and I wondered for a moment if he'd left me hanging. But when he finally spoke, his voice was so soft yet strong as he said, "Let's make Eri, smile. Okay?"

At the mention of the little girl, I leaned over the desk to spot her silver hair dancing above the crowd. She clung to Togata like a koala would a tree, her eyes still wide with anticipation as she stared at the stage. Even though he couldn't see me, I still nodded. "Okay, Midoriya. Let's do this thing." With that, I turned the mic off and placed the headset back down onto the desk, my smile still in place. "All right, boys. Time to get this show on the road."